This issue covers some of the most significant news from March. Topics include updated endoscope processing guidance, CLABSIs, OSHA inspections, antibiotic stewardship, and a decolonization toolkit.
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Infection Risks Associated With ECRI Top Patient Safety Concerns 2022 — ECRI Institute published its "Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns 2022" report, which includes multiple safety challenges associated with infections.
ANSI and AAMI Update Flexible Endoscope Sterilization and Quality Control Processing Guidance — After seven years, American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) updated their guidance for disinfection/sterilizing, storage, and quality control procedures of flexible endoscopes.
Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Infections in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Patients: Central Line-associated Blood Stream Infections — CDC released new recommendations for the prevention of CLABSIs in neonatal intensive care unit patients.
Between a Rock and Hard Place: Recommendations for Balancing Patient Safety and Pandemic Response — APIC issued a report providing strategies to increase the nation's infection prevention and control workforce, strengthen prevention programs, and build resiliency for future pandemics.
OSHA to Boost Healthcare Inspections to Prepare for COVID Variants — OSHA announced it is increasing inspection of hospitals and nursing facilities that treat COVID-19 patients over the next few months to prepare for the potential emergence of new variants of the virus.
Engagement in Antibiotic Stewardship Programs Results in Drop in Antibiotics — Research showed that long-term care facilities were able to see a reduction in antibiotic starts and days of antibiotic therapy by engaging in an antibiotic stewardship program.
Toolkit for Decolonization of Non-ICU Patients With Devices — AHRQ published a toolkit that includes step-by-step instructions, handouts, and educational videos to show frontline teams how to apply a decolonization protocol for non-ICU patients at greater risk of bloodstream infections.
New Study Finds Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide Can Significantly Reduce C. Difficile Infections in Hospital Settings — Research showed that adding aerosolized hydrogen peroxide to hospital infection prevention protocols can effectively reduce C. diff infections.
Aspirin May Reduce Death in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients — Research showed that hospitalized patients with moderate COVID-19 who were given aspirin early on in their treatment had a lower risk of dying compared to patients who were not given aspirin.